In another setback for international efforts to achieve greater arms control, following Russia’s complete withdrawal from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE Treaty), NATO states also announced a temporary suspension of the agreement.
The CFE Treaty was concluded in 1990 and entered into force in 1992. The aim was to achieve a safe and stable balance between the lower level conventional forces and prevent surprise military attacks in Europe. To this end, for example, the number of battle tanks, artillery systems, fighter aircraft and attack helicopters was limited and an information exchange with a comprehensive verification regime was established.
Russia had already suspended implementation of the treaty in 2007. As a result, NATO countries as well as Moldova and Georgia suspended its implementation towards Russia in late 2011, and Ukraine in early 2015. Since 2015, a year after the annexation of the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula from Crimea, in violation of the international law, Russia no longer participates in the meetings of the Advisory Group. The full Russian withdrawal took legal effect this Tuesday.
Return possible if Russian ‘changes behavior’.
In a joint statement, NATO justified its response with the following words: A situation in which the Allied States Parties comply with the Treaty without Russia doing so would not be sustainable. A spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that this expressly does not mean that the contract will be canceled. In the event of a fundamental change in Russian behavior, renewed application of the CFE Treaty would remain possible.
Moscow attributed the exit to strong tensions and disagreements with the West. The State Department said no arms control agreements are currently possible with NATO countries.
Further agreements suspended
Just a few days ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin legally revoked Russia’s ratification of the nuclear weapons test ban. In addition, Russia has also suspended the “New Start” nuclear arms control treaty, which recently became the only remaining major arms control treaty between the US and Russia. The treaty limited both countries’ nuclear arsenals to 800 delivery systems and 1,550 operational warheads each.
Source: Krone
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